Biden resumes aid to women and girls in developing countries

 

Labor Party leader Lilianne Ploumen can be satisfied: US President Joe Biden has revoked the 'global gag rule', which prevented US aid money from being spent on safe abortion programs. The financial hole created by Donald Trump four years ago was partly closed with an international campaign initiated by Ploumen.

 

The president's move could have a major impact on the international debate on women's and girls' reproductive rights. Under Trump, conservatives worldwide had the wind in their sails in this regard. "Brazil, Arab countries, Eastern Europe: they felt empowered by Trump's rhetoric,” said Laila Ait Baali, director of WO=MEN in The Hague. In Poland, for example, a strict abortion law was recently passed, against which women will take to the streets again this weekend.